After the fantastic victory over England in the RWC for those not lucky enough to be in the Millennium Stadium for tomorrow's Fiji v Wales match, millions will be watching the game on TV screens, their computers and mobile devices.

But as the game starts at 4:45pm it will mean that many will still be in the office - well for the first half at least.

But will employers just be flexible and pragmatic and give staff the chance to enjoy the whole game; besides a RWC only comes around every four years?

Acorn Recruitment

Group marketing and communications director of Acorn Recruitment, Dan Langford, said: "The Rugby World Cup should be a time for demonstrating good people management practices, and rather than see it as a hindrance, it’s actually a great way to engage with your workforce in a positive way whilst scoring some win-win tries in the process.

"Varying shift start and finish times could pay dividends. Modifying hours of work could offer staff an alternative solution whilst reducing the likelihood of employees choosing more unfavourable methods such as pulling a sick day or asking for time off last-minute."

Watts & Morgan Estate Agents

The team of Watts & Morgan Estate Agents

Head of commercial at the firm's Bridgend office, Dyfed Miles, said: "As a particularly rugby-mad group of staff, while we can’t actually close the office, we’re planning on setting up the big screen that we usually use to display our properties, to screen the big game.

"As a Welsh and proud company, we even used the .wales domain for our emails and website.

"We’ve also ensured that no auctions are being held during match time to allow the team, and our customers, to enjoy this highly anticipated game."

Jelf Insurance Brokers

Julian Hilton, regional managing director for Jelf Insurance Brokers, said: “The success of the Wales rugby team to date in the World Cup is doing great things for my teams in Cardiff and Swansea.

"Morale is great, productivity is high, engagement with clients is strong and anyone who is English is in hiding!”

FSEW

Geoff Tomlinson, managing director of Freight Systems Express Wales (FSEW), said: “If everyone is up to date and their work is cleared, we’ve said that staff can put the phones on divert and leave at 4pm to get home in time to enjoy the game.”

Flexible approach

According to research from Robert Half, some 73% of UK firms will allow employees to watch matches during the RWC.

Of those, more than one in five (22%) will always offer flexi-time or early finishes to watch the game. With games kicking off on weekdays as early as 14:30 employers are allowing workers who traditionally work nine to five significant leeway to catch all the rugby action.

UK managing director of Robert Half, Phil Sheridan, said: "Companies increasingly recognise that allowing employees flexibility has a positive effect on morale and also productivity.

"In the growing war to attract talent, employers who are seen to be providing their employees with autonomy and rewarding their staff will be more attractive to potential candidates.

“As the Rugby World Cup sweeps the nation, employers who plan ahead and incorporate the event into their team building plans will make the most of the event.

"Many businesses will be hoping for a repeat of the ‘Olympic’ effect when the country came together, creating an incredible atmosphere that was great for businesses and their employees.”

How to bring #RWC2015 to the office

Allow teams to wear rugby jerseys for the country they are supporting.

Decorate the office with rugby merchandise to engage people with the tournament.

Organise an office touch rugby competition one evening during the tournament, encouraging team bonding.

Have the match playing on the office TV, that way people can stay up-to-date with the tournament if they aren’t able to take advantage of flexible options to work around the game.

(Image: Matthew Horwood)

Host staff viewing parties, put the matches on a screen in a meeting room and encourage employees to watch the games together.

Encourage employees to compete in RWC 2015 fantasy leagues – as they pick their ultimate team for the tournament

And what about TV licence issues?

10,000 cases a year are brought against people in Wales for failing to pay their TV licence

Catherine Griffith-Williams, spokesperson for TV Licensing Wales, said: “Employers may bring TVs to their workplace to watch the World Cup or let staff view games on their computers, or they may not allow viewing at all.

"It’s important that businesses communicate their policy to staff and that managers know the law around viewing live TV in the workplace.

“A TV licence is required if anyone – staff or customer - watches or records TV programmes at the same time as they are shown on TV, whether on a TV, tablet, computer or any other type of equipment.